Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. e4/2...c5

Berg Countergambit
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/8/2pp4/3PP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR w
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. e4 c5

Berg Countergambit

Not to be confused with the Borg Gambit.

The Berg Countergambit is a uncommon opening that can be played in the Smith-Morra Gambit (1. e4 c5 2. d4 d5) or the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (1. d4 d5 2. e4 c5). The idea is to open the D file and quickly change the queens. White has to make the decision to capture the c5-pawn or the d5-pawn.

The main line is 3. dxc5 Nf6:

If white captures the d-pawn the queens are exchanged with 4 Qxd5 5. Qxd5 Nxd5.

If White advances the pawn to e5, the knight is advanced to e4 and the position is equal and dynamic.

The Scandinavian Variation is 3. exd5 Qxd5.

In this variation Black will be able to open the D file unless White plays Ne2 where Black has to return the queen to d8 and White gets a slight advantage in development.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 c5 2. d4 d5

1. d4 d5 2. e4 c5

	3	4	5	6
Berg Countergambit	dxc5 Nf6	exd5 Qxd5	Qxd5 Nxd5	Nf3 d6

References

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.